September 26, 2005

Boys have a penis, Girls have a vagina

The conversation in the breakroom went something like this:

Billy: Hey Howard, you're a Jew, right?

I have never been comfortable being referred to as a Jew. I'd much rather be asked if I'm "Jewish". Sure, it's a semantic difference, but it still bothers me. The way he said it put me on the defensive immediately.

ME: Uh, well, my family is Jewish but I never paid much attention to it. Why?

Billy: Well, I wanted to ask you a question about it and thought you might be able to help.

ME: OK, I'll try. I can't promise you anything because I flunked 'Jew 101' way back when.

Billy: Uh. Yeah. Anyway. I know that circumcision is part of the Covenant...

ME: (holds up his hands) WHOA! WHOA! Hang on there, Dude. I have no idea why we do that. I just know that it's done at birth and we have a big party. Other than that, I have no idea.